Article: Firestone tire sales plummet

Firestone tire sales plummet, forcing Decatur plant closure

Associated Press

Thursday, June 28, 2001

Decatur, Ill. -- Blaming plummeting tire sales, Bridgestone/ Firestone said Wednesday it is closing the factory that made most of the 6.5 million Firestones recalled last summer.

Nearly 1,500 employees are expected to lose their jobs in another blow to this blue-collar city, still reeling from a series of labor and economic troubles over the past few years.

Company officials intend to close the plant by Dec. 31 and insisted the shutdown is for economic reasons and had nothing to do with the quality of tires produced there.

"I know it's going to appear that way to people, but I promise you ...

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